Much of UNRISD’s work during the 1990s related to the social effects of globalization. The principal themes were Crisis, Adjustment and Social Change; Ethnic Conflict and Development; Integrating Gender into Development Policy; Political Violence and Social Movements; Rebuilding War-torn Societies; and the Socio-Economic Impact of the Production, Trade and Use of Illicit Drugs.

A range of research projects were carried out on these themes. These projects are listed on the right.